HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH and CARRIER CHOICE in GEORGIA Nino Chikhladze MD, PhD TSU Chiin ă u 2013

The Global Health Workforce Alliance TOP 5 LATEST RESOURCES How to Recruit and Retain Health Workers in Rural and Remote Areas in Developing Countries How to Recruit and Retain Health Workers in Rural and Remote Areas in Developing Countries World Bank Guidance note, Health, Nutrition and Population Discussion Paper Developing a tool to measure satisfaction among health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa Developing a tool to measure satisfaction among health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa Article published in the Human Resources for Health peer-reviewed journal, 11:30 doi: / Making Health Workers Count - Global Health Workforce Alliance - Annual Report 2012 Making Health Workers Count - Global Health Workforce Alliance - Annual Report 2012 Annual Report, 2012 Longitudinal study of rural health workforce in five counties in China: research design and baseline description Longitudinal study of rural health workforce in five counties in China: research design and baseline description Article published in Human Resources for Health 2013, 11:17 (4 May 2013) Aspirations for quality health care in Uganda: How do we get there? Aspirations for quality health care in Uganda: How do we get there? Article published in Human Resources for Health 2013, 11:13 (22 March 2013)

The Global Health Workforce Alliance Strategy 2013 – 2016 ADVANCING THE HEALTH WORKFORCE AGENDA WITHIN UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE trategy_long_web.pdf Aprogressreport_2011.pdf

Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action Snapshot of the human resources for health policy and governance situation in the priority countries affected by severe health workforce challenges. The report highlights areas of progress as well as those that, conversely, require increased attention. The Progress Report focuses on how countries are doing in - planning and coordinating their health workforce interventions, at their efforts in relation to information systems, - - education and retention strategies, and investment decisions. - - analysis of key health workforce policies has been complemented with case stories submitted by countries and organizations that illustrate, through a more qualitative approach, the progress in implementing the Agenda for Global Action in the priority countries.

The Alliance response in countries As identified by the 2006 World Health Report, 57 countries face critical health workforce shortages and are considered as priority countries by the Alliance. However, the Alliance works worldwide with partners at country level to advocate and catalyze actions to resolve the Human Resources for Health (HRH) crisis, and to support the achievement of the health related Millennium Development Goals and Health for All. In its constants efforts to address the crisis and make a sustainable contribution to improving critical situations faced by countries, the Alliance convened the First and the Second Global Forums on Human Resources for Health, in 2008 in Uganda, and 2011 in Thailand respectively. Both Forums concluded with the adoption from committed participants of ambitious agendas suitable to translate political will, leadership and partnership into sustainable and effective actions at country level. A critical and urgent element to better enable strategies to be translated into action is the need for effective coordination of all stakeholders. In response to this need for enhanced coordination, the Alliance developed the Country Coordination and Facilitation (CCF) - Principles and Process.

Actuality of the topic According to the official data, there were 21’773 physicians (physicians per 100’000 population 485,6 ), who worked in Georgia in Georgia traditionally has the highest density of health workers, particularly physicians. Despite this tendency the number of medical students increases year in year out. Total number of medical students in Georgia approximates to 4000.

Objectives The objective of our study is to explore expectations about future careers among medical students in Georgia.

Materials and Research Methods The study was carried out among the students of all years (from first year to final year students). Students attending classes were invited to participate in the survey during the autumn semester 2012 at all medical schools of Georgia. Students were asked to indicate their interest in 21 different medical specialties as possible future careers. Totally 310 fully completed questionnaires could be used for analyses in this survey. The response rate was 86,1%.

Results In the sample 63.5% of the students were female (n=197) and 36.5% male (n=113). The mean age of the students was ; SD 1,87, Median 20, Mode 20; range 17-26, (min=17, max=26). (20,76 for female students SD 1,86 and 20,71 for male students SD 1,9). 26,3% of the students have chosen SURGERY, 10,4% of the students CARDIOLOGY 10,4% – OBSTETRICS-GYNECOLOGY. Following by ENDOCRINOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, GP (7-8%).

Results Future career choice in gender dimension shows that most popular specialties are: Surgery (73.4% - male and 26.6% - female students), Cardiology (19.4% - male and 80.6% - female students), Obstetrics-gynecology (25.8% - male and 74.2% - female students), Endocrinology (20.8% - male and 79.2% - female students), Pediatrics (8% - male and 92% - female students), GP (18.2% - male and 81.8% - female students).

Results 7,1% of the students (male 4,6% and female 8,9%) have not made the decision about their future career choice yet.

Discussion According to the official statistics the most popular Top Four specialties in Georgia: Obstetrics & Gynecology ( ; ), GP (2011–1249; 2000–2553), Pediatricians (2011–1129; 2000–2295) Surgeries (2011–1110; 2000–1132). Same specialties are THE MOST POPULAR among students in our study too.

Conclusion Majority of male students prefer surgery; when female students- cardiology, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatricians etc. Other studies have explored the same trends. Due to the small number of respondents our study had some limitations. Therefore, we may consider that the results of this study describe participating student's career related values. Recent study has provided the insights into students’ future career preferences in Georgia and gives important practice point for elaboration human resources policy at the level of Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs in Georgia.

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